Warming Gift Ideas

Most of the outdoor jobs around here cannot be achieved with gloves on and, whilst we do have a vast selection of fingerless gloves, any gloves invariably get wet and hands get cold.

When I was asked to try the Pocket Hand Warmer from Paramount Zone UK, I jumped at the chance.
I have to say that I have always viewed these kind of gadgets with some scepticism, and this was a welcome chance to test my perception of them.

I am so pleased that I tried it. It works!

There is a little metal disc inside the heat pad which you flex (it makes a clicky sound) and almost instantly the liquid crystallises and the pad gets hot. Not burny hot, but very warm. Just the job when your fingers are starting to go numb with cold.

At the risk of everyone out there burning their faces, I must tell you that it is the perfect size for soothing a toothache. Please don't all go slapping one on your face, especially if you have delicate skin, but I have used it on mine.

The pad stays warm for about 30 minutes and can be used again by immersing it in boiling water until the crystals return to a liquid state. It must be allowed to cool before you can reactivate it.

I'm very pleased with it, mine is on the base of my spine, tucked into the waistband of my jeans as I write, soothing my lower back pain. I need more of them because I have oodles of uses for them.

It is a neat little Secret Santa idea if you know anyone who enjoys outdoor life, or who has poor circulation. Great for their pocket and not too heavy on yours. There are also some saucier options on the website!

I was also asked to try the Desk Cup Warmer, again from Paramount Zone UK. Another gadget that I approached with scepticism.

Over the years I have developed a taste for lukewarm, or even cold, tea and coffee. I usually have a coffee on the go at any given time during the day and my mug may be on the kitchen table, or a windowsill, or anywhere really. Woe betide anyone who throws my coffee or tea away, thinking I have finished with it.

Steve, on the other hand, will not drink tea or coffee that has lost its heat, so I tried this on him. He is even more sceptical than me. I pointed out how many cups of tea or coffee had been brought down from his office only partly drunk. It is the familiar problem of sitting down to your computer with a hot drink only to find that the 'few minutes' you have sat there are in fact lots of minutes and your drink has gone cold. This little gadget is powered from a USB port and has a little light to show that it is in use.

He has been using it, but we have come to the conclusion that, short of a scientific experiment, we cannot say with certainty how well it works. We have no idea how long it takes a hot drink to go cold, so cannot say if the cup warmer keeps it warm for 30-60 minutes longer. And a lot would depend on the size of the cup and the temperature in the room. Too many variables but, he does concede that he is finishing more of his hot drinks, so it must be working?

Paramount Zone suggest that this is a fun gadget for men although I know several ladies who like useful little gimmicky gadgets like this.

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We were sent these products free of charge but we have received no financial reward for writing this review, it is simply our opinion.